Mitochondrial modulation is involved in the hepatoprotection of Limonium sinense extract against liver damage in mice.
OBJECTIVE
Limonium sinense (Girard) Ktze is a Chinese folk medicine used to treat fever, hemorrhage, hepatitis, and other disorders. The present research focused on the protective effects of L. sinense extracts (LSE) against liver damage.


METHODS
In this study the extract from the root of Limonium sinense was used. Aminotransferase activity detection, electron microscopy, mitochondrial function evaluation, RT-PCR and western blot were used to evaluate the hepatoprotection of LSE in LPS/d-GalN-intoxicated mice.


RESULTS
Pretreatment with 100, 200 or 400mg/kg LSE significantly blocked the increase in both serum aspartate aminotransferase (sAST) and serum alanine aminotransferase (sALT) levels induced by treatment with LPS plus d-GalN (LPS/d-GalN). Ultrastructural observation by electron microscopy showed reduced hepatocyte nuclear condensation and less lipid deposition. The decrease in both the mitochondrial membrane potential (14.6%) and sensitivity to mitochondrial swelling induced by Ca(2+) (45.9%) observed in the liver of LPS/d-GalN-treated mice were prevented by pretreatment with LSE. In addition, different doses of LSE increased both the transcription and the translation of voltage-dependent anion channels (VDAC), which was down-regulated by LPS/d-GalN treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
In summary, LSE protects livers against LPS/d-GalN-induced damage, possibly by mitochondrial mechanisms related to increased expression of VDAC.
Tang
X H
XH
Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Wetland Bioresources and Environmental Protection, Yancheng Teachers' College, 50 Kaifang Road, Yancheng 224002, PR China. xinhuitang@sina.com
Gao
J
J
Chen
J
J
Xu
L Z
LZ
Tang
Y H
YH
Zhao
X N
XN
Michael
L
L
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D015153:Blotting, Western; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005688:Galactosamine / Q000633:toxicity; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000633:toxicity; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008930:Mitochondria, Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D029606:Plumbaginaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D050994:Voltage-Dependent Anion Channels / Q000032:analysis
D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D010936:Plant Extracts; D050994:Voltage-Dependent Anion Channels; D005688:Galactosamine; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase